Restorative Effects from Green Exposure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Song Song, Ruoxiang Tu, Yao Lu, Shi Yin, Hankun Lin and Yiqiang Xiao ()
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Song Song: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Ruoxiang Tu: School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Yao Lu: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Shi Yin: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
Hankun Lin: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
Yiqiang Xiao: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-22

Abstract: Despite growing research on green space and health benefits, the body of evidence remains heterogeneous and unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with high evidence levels are deemed timely. We searched Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for the literature up to January 2022 and assessed bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. We calculated joint impact estimates for each green space exposure assessment technique using random and fixed effects models. Compared to non-green space situations, green space exposure was related to decreased negative feelings, such as fatigue −0.84 (95% CI: −1.15 to −0.54), and increased levels of pleasant emotions, such as vitality 0.85 (95% CI: 0.52 to 1.18). It also lowered physiological indicators, including heart rate levels, by 0.60 (95% CI: −0.90 to −0.31). Effect sizes were large and statistically significant, and the overall quality of the evidence was good. Existing RCTs on greenspace exposure pay insufficient attention to older and adolescent populations, different ethnic groups, different regions, and doses of greenspace exposure interventions. More research is needed to understand how and how much green space investment has the most restorative benefits and guide urban green space planning and renewal.

Keywords: green space; mental health; restorative benefit; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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